Anaerobic bacteria are germs that can survive and grow where there is no oxygen. So it can thrive in human tissue that is injured and does not have oxygen-rich blood flowing to it. Infections like tetanus and gangrene are caused by anaerobic bacteria. Bacteria and viruses such as E-coli and salmonella can live in freezing temperatures, meaning they are alive in your ice cubes. The good news is by using purified water, cleaning your hands, or using ice scoops when serving, and regularly cleaning your freezer, you can stop the bacteria from spreading. In their metabolism of energy-containing compounds, aerobes require molecular oxygen as a terminal electron acceptor and cannot grow in its absence. Anaerobes, on the other hand, cannot grow in the presence of oxygen. Aerobic bacteria thrive in the presence of oxygen and require it for their continued growth and existence. Other bacteria are anaerobic, and cannot tolerate gaseous oxygen, such as those bacteria which live in deep underwater sediments or those which cause bacterial food poisoning.